Combined mattress and life-preserver.



C. T. SMITH.

COMBINED MATTRESS AND LIFE PRESERVER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 20, 915.

1,178,421. Pa tented Apr. 4, 1916.

CHARLES T. SMITH, OF MAIBTON, WASHINGTON.

COMBINED MATTRESS AND LIFE-PRESERVER Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Apr. 4., 1916.

Application filed March 20, 1915. Serial No. 15,781.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES T. SMITH, a subject of the King of Great Britain, residing at Mabton, in the county of Yakima and State of Washington, have invented new and useful Improvements in Combined Mattresses and Life-Preservers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an improved air mattress which is also adapted to be used as a life preserver, the object of the invention being to provide an improved device of this character which may be used for either such purposes and which, when used as a life preserver is adapted to be secured to others and thus form a unit of a life preserving float which is yielding and elastic, is not likely to be injured and broken by the waves and which may be used by a number of persons;

The invention consists in the construction, combination and arrangement of devices hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings :-Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combined air mattress and life preserver constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is partly an elevation and partly a sectional View of a life preserving float formed by securing a number of the mattresses together. Fig. 3 is a detail view.

The mattress or cushion 1, which is also adapted for use as a life preserver, and as a unit of a life preserving float is of'a suitable size, is made of suitable flexible air and water tight material, such for instance as rubber cloth, and is adapted to be inflated with air, being provided with a suitable nipple 2 for that purpose. I

The mattress or cushion is extremely light and portable, and is very buoyant and well adapted for use as a life preserver.

The air inflated body of the receptacle 2 is formed with a compartment 22 which extends for the full transverse extent of the mattress and isv adapted for the reception of a rectangular receptacle 2' adapted for holding provisions or the like, the said receptacle having a hinged cover 3 and straps 4 for securing said cover in closed position. At the sides and ends of the body of the mattress are fastening devices such as snap hooks 5 and rings 6, to co-act with similar devices on other like mattresses and to enprovide a long strap 9 on the mattress,

which is secured thereto at spaced points I as at 10 to form hand-holds.

Having thus described my invention I claim A- combined mattress and life preserver comprising a flexible buoyant air inflated body having an end compartment of a length equaling the full transverse length of the mattress and opening out through one side thereof, a receptacle of substantially rectangular configuration arranged within said compartment, a closure hin-ged to the open end of the compartment for retaining the receptacle within such compartment, and a series of straps disposed along the opposite transverse and longitudinal edges of the mattress and arranged in convolute form for lashing a person thereto.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

CHARLES T. SMITH. Witnesses:

E. H. STRATTON, FRANK WILSON.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the qo nn issioner of Patents, 7 Washington. D. Q," 

